The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 272 No 7301 p681
29 May 2004

This is a valuable teaching aid but with a bias towards secondary care

‘Drugs in use’, 3rd edition, edited by Linda J. Dodds. Pp xxii+634. Price £29.95. London: Pharmaceutical Press; 2004. ISBN 0 85369 541 5

This third edition has been extended to 30 chapters, each with a case study concentrating on a specific disease state. Two further chapters look holistically at medicines management and dealing with medicines risk. All case studies are explored using a clear question and answer format with a rational approach to drug choice.

Although intended for use by all pharmacists working in clinical practice, there is a bias towards secondary care, and extra chapters on holistic medicines management would have made it more appropriate for primary care. Three chapters on renal disease and none on type 1 diabetes in adults seems unbalanced. The chapter on managing medicines risk is useful, but in view of the current emphasis on medicines safety, the opportunity should have been taken to highlight such issues throughout the book. Reference to National Institute for Clinical Excellence technology appraisals and guidelines to inform drug choice decisions would have given the theoretical approach a more practical application.

“Notes on the use of this book” state that it is for teaching purposes, although the title does not make that clear and some may be disappointed by the limited index with no cross referencing to key trial evidence or national guidance.

However, in spite of these limitations, the book is a valuable teaching aid and pharmacists working, or hoping to work, in clinical practice will find it a useful resource and an aid to continuing professional development.


Jenifer A. Harding

Jenifer Harding is head of medicines management, Rowley Regis and Tipton Primary Care Trust